China on Wednesday, 19 May, condemned US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi call to World Leaders to boycott Beijing Olympics 2022, stating that her comments were “full of lies”.
Pelosi on Tuesday had called for a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing by the United States and other world leaders.
Several groups and lawmakers have alleged abuse of human rights of minorities in China and called for a full boycott of the Olympics, adding monumental pressure on the International Olympic Committee, athletes, sponsors and sports federations.
“What I propose – and join those who are proposing – is a diplomatic boycott,” Pelosi said, in which “lead countries of the world withhold their attendance at the Olympics,” reported Reuters.
“For heads of states to go to China in the light of a genocide that is going on – while you’re sitting there in your seat – really begs the question, what moral authority do you have to speak again about human rights in any place of the world?”Nancy Pelosi , Speaker of the US House of Representatives
The Beijing Games are set to open on 4 February, 2022.
Why the Call for Boycott
Lawmakers, like Pelosi, have condemned China, citing reports from 2018 that at least 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslims had been held in camps in China's Xinjiang region.
US President Joe Biden's office said it hoped to develop a joint approach with its allies to participate in Beijing's Olympics. But reports stated that the issue has not yet been discussed.
Reuters had reported that there was no change in the stand by the administration despite Pelosi’s comment.
A coalition representing Uyghurs, Tibetans, residents of Hong Kong and others had issued a statement on Monday, calling for the boycott of the games.
“We believe athletes are people of conscience who have the power to use their platforms to stop injustice. We call on them and those who believe in the right of all people to exist and live free from fear and oppression to join our movement. Together we shall stand against genocide and crimes against humanity and take action for democracy, freedom and human rights,” read the statement.
The group mentioned that “at least two million Uyghur, Kazakh and Uzbek Muslims are detained in 're-education camps' undergoing systematic torture, rape and political re-education”. It strongly condemned the Chinese government’s implementation of the draconian National Security Bill in Hong Kong, “that criminalises protests and curtails any remaining human right”.
US Politicians Think They Have Moral Authority: China
Chinese Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu dismissed Pelosi’s allegations saying, “I wonder what makes some US politicians think that they actually have the so-called moral authority? On human rights issues, they are in no position, either historically or currently, to make wanton groundless criticism against China,” reported Reuters.
Pelosi’s comment also prompted the Chinese government to deny the mistreatment of the Uyghur minority.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated that “ US individuals’ remarks are full of lies and disinformation,” reported First Post. China condemned the boycott calls as they were allegedly ‘politicising sports’.
“US politicians should stop using the Olympic movement to play despicable political games.”Zhao Lijian, Spokesperson, Foreign Ministry, China
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